n

n

n

nThis event attracted warriors from other legions as well. They remained in their seats, looking down at the platform below.

nCicero sat at the top, with three individuals beside him.

nThe first was an old woman with long greenish hair. Her face was full of wrinkles, and she wore a white robe. She was Frena, a Division Commander of Athena's Champion.

nThe second was a middle-aged man in dark armor. He had red hair, blue eyes, and greenish scales on his skin, indicating that he was a demi. His name was Adein, a War General of Ares' Warriors.

nThe last one resembled a ten-year-old boy with black hair, black eyes, and a horn protruding from the center of his forehead. His name was Casme, also a War General of Ares' Warriors.

nA War General was equivalent to a Division Commander in Athena's Champion.

nAll four of them were demigods.

n

"Cicero, isn't this too early? If I'm not mistaken, he just gained the title of Hero Candidate, right?

" Casme asked.

n

"Yeah, but that monster looked confident. Also, the rumors about him aren't just

nexaggerations,

" Cicero replied calmly.

n

"The strongest Fourth Stage monster, huh? It seems that another Monster Lord will appear in our Olympus soon,

" Adein said, resting his chin on his palm.

n

"I'm a Division Commander of Athena's Champion, yet this is my first time seeing him. It's been a while since I've returned here,

" Frena said with a smile.

nCasme glanced at Frena and asked,

"You've been to the Ruin Battlefield, right? What's the current situation there?

"

nCicero and Adein also turned their attention to Frena, eager to hear about the state of the Ruin Battlefield.

n

"It's getting peaceful there. Because of the threat of Gluttony, the battles in the Ruin Battlefield have decreased. The Holy Lands are gradually retreating to their bases, not daring to engage in another battle,

" Frena explained.

n

"The threat of Gluttony isn't minor. Our God even sent two War Generals to search for signs of high-level experts from the Gluttony Army, but those with great strength are really well hidden,

" Casme said.

nFor now, the Holy Lands were monitoring the battlefield while staying vigilant of their surroundings, wary of where the high-level experts of the Gluttony Army might be hiding. Fortunately, the Angels were taking the initiative to fight on the frontlines, allowing the other Holy Lands to keep watch.

n

"Gluttony... I've seen him before. He was just a kid back then, without any strength. He was part of some demigod forces involved in the war between Angels and the Fallen,

" Adein said.

nWhile they were talking, the spectators erupted into loud cheers as the announcer stepped onto the stage.

nWooo!!!

nThey rose to their feet, pumping their fists in the air.

n

"I'm your announcer, Dezmo, from the Song of Hermes,

" a man enthusiastically introduced himself to the crowd.

"I won't keep you waiting any longer. Let's introduce the one who took the trial.

"

nEveryone went quiet, focusing their attention on the stage.

n

"Introducing the man who took the rite. He's been called the Only One, the one who stood at the top.

"

nA man dressed in dark attire slowly walked out of the passage. The entire stadium fell into silence as he stepped forward.

n

"Who could've seen this coming! His rise has become legendary everywhere! He's only just become a Hero Candidate, yet he's already taking the rite! He's a monster among monsters!

" His footsteps echoed with each step as his long hair fluttered in the wind.

n

"They say he's the strongest Fourth Stage, and no one has refuted it! He steps onto the battlefield with strength and wisdom!

"

nHe stepped onto the platform and paused, looking around as he combed his hair with his fingers.

n

"It all began when he was tasked with going to the Hall Plains. He effortlessly took control of a city and tamed the fierce Lernaean Hydra. He swiftly ended the great turmoil in the Hall Plains that disturbed the gods. He went to the frontlines and proved his strength to the warriors by taking over one of the three countries that later became a battleground. He's the one and only Blood Lightning Monster! The undisputed one!

"

nSouta placed his hand on the handle of the vajra sword while glancing at the spectators. He flinched as a slight pain surged in his eyes. In the next second, his vision changed.

n'This...? It seems that the effect of Galaxy Eyes has completely returned.' he thought to himself.

nAmong the spectators, he spotted many familiar faces-Grain Leader Carmel, Manduk, and some of the warriors he had encountered before.

n

"So that's the legendary Blood Lightning Monster...

"

n

"It's my first time seeing him.

"

n

"I wonder if he's as strong as the rumors say.

"

nAside from the warriors of Athena's Champion, there were also warriors from other Gods' Legions. All of them were curious about the famous strongest Fourth Stage monster.

nThe announcer, Dezmo, raised his hand with a big smile on his face.

n

"Now! It's time to start this rite of battle!!

"

nThe audience erupted into loud cheers.

nOhm!!

nA surge of energy enveloped the entire platform, forming a barrier around it.

nSouta remained still, knowing this was simply a measure to protect the spectators.

nBang!!

nThe platform shook violently as hundreds of buildings, mountains, and rivers emerged.

n

"Condensing space and time.

"

nA new space formed within the barrier.

nThe audience wasn't shocked by this as they had seen it before, but it was still an amazing sight, especially for ordinary people.

n

"Now that the stage is ready! The match will start now! There are no allies within the stage! Everyone is an enemy!

" the announcer declared.

nThere was no introduction for Souta's opponent. There was no need; everyone would find out soon enough. It was also a surprise element for the one taking the rite.

nJust be prepared to fight, no matter who stands in the way.

nThat's just how it is.

n

"The first opponent is here!

"

nThe spectators and the announcer weren't visible inside the barrier, and no voices from

noutside could be heard.

nThe audience rose to their feet as they watched the first opponent emerge from one of the buildings, looking down at the ground.

n

"It's going to start...

"

nIn the VIP room, Cicero and the other three observed the scene below.

n

"It's not necessarily the first opponent. The rite isn't a one-on-one battle to begin with,

"

nFrena commented.

nThe others were well aware of this, as it wasn't the first time they had seen a Hero Candidate

nproving himself.

nInside the barrier...

nSouta raised his head, sensing someone within his perception. As long as they had blood, he could detect them within a specific range.

nHe leapt onto the top of a building, looking left and right. A smile formed on his face as he focused his attention ahead.

nFar away from him stood a man dressed in black pants and a white tunic.

n

"Come!

"

nSouta faintly smiled as he opened his arms and looked up at the sky.

nTwilight Zone!

nThe sky turned a deep crimson, resembling blood, and his eyes gleamed with power.

nHe stood atop the building, his clothes and hair fluttering in the strong winds. The shadows beneath his feet spread outward.

nFar from Souta, the man watched with a serious expression. He was Welfaz, a member of the Third Grain War Leader of the Second Set Pallas Division.

n

"You're not alone,

" Souta said, glancing left and right. He sensed the presence of others,

nfeeling the blood coursing through their veins.

nThat's right; the other opponents in this battle had arrived. No one said this would be a one- on-one fight, but Souta already knew that from his past experiences.

nThree people stood to his left, and four stood to his right. They all watched him intently,

nassessing his movements.

nSuddenly, a woman moved. She raised her hand, and a surge of energy erupted from her body.

nAt the same time, a man crouched down, placing both palms on the floor.

nThe woman was Zeime, the Second Grain War Leader of the Fourth Set Pallas Division, while

nthe man was Dopoy, the First Grain War Leader of the Fourth Set Polias Division.

nOhm!!

nA magic circle appeared beneath Welfaz's feet as his energy surged toward the sky, manifesting as a pillar of bluish light.

nWelfaz pulled back his hands, and a large amount of energy swirled between his palms. In the next second, he pushed both hands forward, shooting a massive blue energy beam.

nDestruction Lightning Ray!!

nSouta raised both hands as the concentrated ray of lightning approached him.

nIn an instant, the building he stood upon disintegrated, and smoke and dust enveloped the

narea.

nSwoosh!!

nSouta emerged from the smoke, rushing straight at Welfaz. His body was covered in burn

nmarks, but they quickly vanished.

nHis aura rose sharply as ten black spheres materialized behind him. Not only that, but most of

nhis spells and combat arts that could enhance his abilities were activated.

n

"Let's go!

" Souta laughed. Spreading his fingers, dozens of strings of webs shot out, slicing through the buildings in his path.

n

"Come!

" Welfaz tightened both fists.

nIn the next moment, Souta arrived in front of him. He threw a punch, and Welfaz responded in

nkind. Their fists collided, causing intense vibrations in the air.

nBoom!!

n

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